Chapter 16

Jason set the papers down. He had read them. Three times. “It is orders. It is always best to read them multiple times. Less the chance to doing the wrong thing and angering some senior officer.” He took a bite of food and then picked up the coffee. “You will find similar instances when you try to have working lunches once you get a job as a big-time lawyer. You’ll be going out regularly with clients and coworkers and maybe a few friends. Knowing you, you will sneak in work as much as possible.”

Selena was chewing but cutely held her hand up in front of her mouth. “I don’t think that happens to you until you are established. I don’t even know what section of the law I want to apply to. Who knows, it may be a while before I get hired. If I graduate at all.”

Jason huffed. “You forget I have seen your classwork. Your grades. Unless something happens between now and then to drastically changed things, I don’t see how you won’t graduate. Maybe not top ten, but top fifty at least.”

Selena was playing with the last bite of the croquet. “You know, Dad was upset when I took law and not culinary.”

Where did that come from, he wondered. “Well, that is understandable to a point. It’s his life’s work. As I understand it, many parents want their children to be independent but secretly want them to be like them. You do seem to enjoy it.”

“I do. But I wanted to do something that could make a difference. Can’t do that quick-cooking for people.” She looked up. “Did you follow your father?”

He saw now what she was doing. He had kept many details of himself to himself. It was just easier that way.

“My father was happy I did anything that didn’t involve him paying for it. Not sure if it counts, but yes, he was military. Was he happy about me going into it? Who’s to say? He never did. Can’t ask him now.”

She hadn’t expected an answer. She had asked before about his family. He avoided it most times, or just gave generic answers. She wondered what changed. She wanted to keep asking, to see how much he would answer, but she wisely decided to take what she got and not press.

“I’m guessing, but since you have an officer’s ranking, you must be good at what you do. I’m sure he was.”

Jason picked up the drink. “My primary job is pilot. But I have trained to do other specialties. Some are tied to aircraft, and others are not. It is always a good idea to take training when it’s available. Never know when you will need to know something. Even in law, there is more potential for you to learn. There are so many different types of laws. Even just on the level of the law. City, state, federal. A lot of similarities but a lot of differences. You can spend a lifetime learning it and not know it all.”

She sipped her drink this time. “I’m not sure I should finish this,” she giggled.

Jason looked at her glass and compared his. She had barely touched it, compared to his half-full glass. “Perhaps. We will get you a cup of coffee before we leave. I’m sure your new friend can find a cup to go.” Of course, he knew that there was no evidence that coffee helped with the buzz she was feeling but the mind did work wonders if you believed something enough.

Selena fidgeted. Just the mention of the girl made her tingle. She had to get her thoughts under control. More to the point, she needed to know why it was happening.

Jason noticed the discomfort and again thought, “Like mother like daughter.” He had a sudden image of Selena and Crystal kissing and giggling. Sadly, both had clothing on.

“Okay. I feel as if I must ask you again. Are you sure missing classes tomorrow won’t cause any issues?”

She sipped her drink while nodding. “Relax, worry wort. I haven’t missed a class yet. Besides, under the circumstances, I think the professors will be understanding. As I said, there isn’t much going on in any of them. Whatever they cover, I can catch up on. It’s only a day, and you can help since you are missing it all, too.”

“I should have sent for your books.” He tapped on his coffee cup as he thought about her being there. “You didn’t lie to the shore patrol or the officers that questioned you afterward?”

She feigned a hurt look and then pouted. “I thought you knew me better than that. Besides, why would I need to? As far as I see it, there wasn’t anything done that didn’t make sense. It was kinda cool to be a part of it. It’s freakishly scary but cool. I never thought I would see anything like that, but to be a part of it was never a possibility.”

That was not the reaction he was expecting. She was calm and understanding and unquestioning. It was like it was part of everyday life for her. “I’m just trying to figure out why the General wants you to remain here.”

“Not a clue. Maybe he wants to recruit me,” she laughed.

Jason sat silently as he considered that.

“I was kidding,” she said. She had reached out and taken his hand. “If I wanted to join the military, I would have gone into the Navy,” she grinned at the poke but was disappointed with no reaction,” instead of college,” she continued. “Besides, I have you. If I want to learn anything, I’ll have you teach me. During all the years you have been in, to get the rank that you have, you should be perfect to teach. I don’t need to join up.”

He couldn’t pull his hand away. Even as the image of her and the boy kissing flashed in his mind again and repeated in slow motion. There was that ever-present feeling that this young woman was meant for better than him. He felt that there was more for her. If he pursued the feelings ... NO! He calmly pulled his hand away. There was more to this girl, and he wouldn’t stand in the way of her achieving it.

“There are many aspects of military life I couldn’t. The branches of service have excellent legal advocates. I know little about any of them. I can’t say not to join. That is an option that you could still explore. One thing I do know is that you could make more in the private sector.” He didn’t look at her. He already knew that look he was getting. It was one he had seen several times when he brought up money. Of course, she wanted it, what normal or everyday kind of person didn’t. Not too many lived a life of poverty voluntarily. Money wasn’t her main drive. She proved that over and over in the past few months.

“I know money is not everything. But you need to consider things. College loans will come due soon. You may want to leave your parent’s house, so you need an apartment and maybe a car. Things that cost money. I believe that you will do well enough and not have to worry once you are settled, but who knows what life has in store for you. Maybe more schooling. Maybe your own business. There are a lot of maybes. All I am saying is you need to think about what comes after school.” He had picked up his drink and started to finish it off.

Selena had mimicked him just slightly. She only took a few large sips.

“I will make you a deal. I will think about it if you do. I believe that you are graduating as well.”

He shook his head. “I am short a half dozen credits for any major. Besides that, I am only auditing. No credits are given. This is your graduation. As it should be.”

She sat back. She had forgotten he wasn’t getting credits for the classes, coming in a day past the added time. It seemed unfair to pay for a class like everyone else and not get the credit for the work done, but that was how it worked.

“I am not sure what the housing will be like. I haven’t taken any since coming here. It can be just a set of bunk beds in a house. There is a small motel just off base.” he held up a hand, knowing the comment to come. “No, I am not. I was going to say if it is not ideal, then I will arrange for you to go there. It will be more comfortable for you. The Lieutenant then will pick you up in the morning for breakfast.”

Crystal came walking by. “I know you are not yet done, but I’m heading for the dessert case if either of you wants to. Or refills?”

“I’ll have another coffee for the moment,” Jason scooped up the last of the food on the plate. “And depending on the kind of tiramisu cake it is, I may take a nice piece of that to go.” Selena was fidgeting again, slightly. “I think my companion here is itching to get a taste of that sweet honeypot you mentioned.” He added and grinned as she got bugged-eyed and her mouth gaped open. “I’m sure she will enjoy the cake as well.” He chuckled as she hid her face in both hands.

“I’ll have coffee,” she mumbled.

Crystal seemed unaware of the moment. She just said, “I’ll be right back,” and hurried off, with Selena turning her head to watch her vanish around the counter.

“Are we coming back here for breakfast?” she asked, avoiding eye contact.

Jason shrugged but paused before saying anything to finish the coffee before Crystal brought more. “It’s here, or one of the few fast food places, or there is maybe sneaking into the enlisted mess if you get up early enough. The meeting with the General is early enough, so we may make it out in time to go off base somewhere. I still need to find out how we are getting back.”

“Anywhere but here, please,” she said softly. It was hard to tell if she was serious or honestly wanted to go elsewhere.

“We can talk about it in the morning. But if you want to try the regular mess, it will be early. They only operate from five-thirty am to about seven am.”

Crystal came back, and Selena tried hard to keep from looking at her. There was something there, he laughed to himself. He almost felt sorry for her. Thrown into the moment at the airport, all the drama at school, and now this. No, sorry, wasn’t the term for it. He was envious.

Crystal brought back the coffee and a small sliver of cake. “Give it a try and see if it’s what you like,”

Jason looked over the sliver and nodded. He took a fork and cut into it. It looked right. He took the bite. “Sweet and delicate, not bad. Better than those that take the shortcut to make it.”

“They are brought in by a local bakery,” Crystal informed him.

“That’s fine. I’ll take a couple of slices to go. It’s nice to have something sweet to eat from time to time. Especially at night, don’t you agree, Selena?”

She groaned, and Crystal chuckled. “Cute pair. It’s odd but cute. Did you want some cake or anything? Or do you want to try the honeypot?”

Selena felt the need to melt into her seat to hide. She felt the heat rise in her face as Crystal recognized the connection between her and Jason, even if he still hadn’t.

“She might need more time to eat the honeypot, but I think you may be able to talk her into it,” Jason pressed as he made up the coffee. “She’s had a bit of a day, and maybe that is what she needs. Something warm and dripping with sweetness to get her lips on.”

Selena kicked out at him under the table only to miss and get more frustrated. It also gave strength to what he was implying.

“I am sure I can find a couple. I know at least one that is very moist and I believe very sweet,” Crystal added a wink and walked away.

“You enjoyed that way too much,” Selena sulked.

“An old guy has to have his amusements,” he shrugged. “But to be serious. You will meet the general tonight. You can stay wherever it is we are sleeping tonight until my meeting tomorrow is over. Or I could have the Lieutenant or someone else take you around the base or maybe off to do some things. I don’t know what time we will be done.”

“That doesn’t sound like a lot of fun,” she frowned. The ride in the helicopter was great but she had been hoping that there would be more time away, alone time.

“Don’t think anyone said this trip was going to be fun. Given the things that happened just before we came here, I would have thought you would have known better.”

When Crystal returned, she had two boxes packed. “Got them nice and warm from the oven,” she said as she again made a point of leaning down in front of Selena. Her unusual attention to Selena had Jason thinking. Was she very determined to get her point across and get a reaction? Or was there something else? Maybe. He studied the woman a little more as she hovered exaggeratedly over Selena.

“I’m sure she will appreciate the extra attention,” he tried not to add to the moment, but it just came out that way. “We are here for another day, are you here in the morning?”

Crystal got a wide grin and shook her head. “No, I’m off.”

“Well, who knows, maybe she will come back in the future. The two of you can get better acquainted then. For now, we do need to go. We still have a few things to do before attending dinner plans.”

Crystal was disappointed but pulled out a pad of paper and scribbled quickly. “My cell and address,” she said as she set the paper in front of Selena. “Sometimes it’s not easy being the wife or gf of a military guy. Some, like me, are just siblings or brats of military personnel. You never know where they will be going or when they will come back. It helps to have people to talk to and turn to. People who understand. There is a group of us that get together and talk and have lunch. We even organize events for the base from time to time. Our biggest is the Christmas drive. We have just started getting into it and can always use more to help. New people, new perspectives, maybe some new ideas.”

Jason picked up the meal card where Selena and set it and held them up to Crystal. She took them to charge the account. They were standing and waiting when she came back. She handed Jason a tray of to-go cups.

“She has you pegged,” Selena laughed as relief washed over her not being the center of the woman’s attention.